Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Photo booths, flash moms and lots of friends. That’s how I will describe
this year’s Step’s Of Hope put on by the Autism Society of Minnesota. Each year
vendors and sponsors get together at Southdale mall to put on a bit of a party
of sorts for the autism community and their family members.

As
Mrs. Minnesota International I had the privilege of placing medals around the
necks of kids that ran what was called the “flash race.” It was a very fast
walk around lower level shops. Naturally, some of those fast walks morphed into
trots, which lead to full out sprinting for first place! Trying to abide by
mall rules in those situations is not the easiest, but watching those kids
faces as they crossed the finish line was priceless.As we strolled around taking silly
pictures in the photo booth, and spinning wheels to win prizes, we ran into a
friend from long ago. When my son looked up and saw one of his first therapists
from when he was just a toddler he yelled, “Christine!” and a gigantic smile
spread across his face. Christine was one of the first therapists we hired as a
Clinical Supervisor at the therapy center I co-founded calledThe Lazarus Project when Ben was just a
toddler. She worked with Benjamin for years. She now has her own company and was
one of the vendors. With precious people like Christine, not much changes in
your heart for those who became like family in order to help your child reach
their full potential in every area of life.

Toward the end of the event, my kids and I stood to hear who would win
the prize drawings, when suddenly we heard the sounds of dance music start, and
our attention immediately went to a group of young teenagers who had taken over
the middle of the rotunda area to begin to perform in a flash mob dance! They
had choreographed their own dance moves and selected the music. Their moves
were original and some of them looked pretty difficult to perform! The crowd
was very generous with applause and praise for these kids who had clearly
worked very hard to gift us with a little fun that day.

As
we walked around to meet and greet all the superheroes (Flash Gordon, Storm and
the Power Rangers) and princess we noticed in the sea of faces, the warm smiles
of friends of Ben’s from The MAC School. It was a reminder to me and my family
how connected we truly all are. There’s a real sense of comradery and support.

I
applaud the Autism Society of Minnesota for their diligent ongoing work in the
Autism community. They support and help provide services and resources for tens
of thousands of families like mine each year. They are one of the most active
branches of the Autism Society of America in the entire country, and the staff
and volunteers are all heart. We are truly grateful, and plan to be at Steps of
Hope in upcoming years!